11 Sophisticated (But Simple!) Summer Appetizer Recipes to Serve at Your Next Party

When it comes to party appetizers, there is no fixed ratio of simple to sophisticated. Sometimes the most unadorned, barely manipulated little bites can seem hugely elegant; other times, you can fiddle with a complicated recipe for hours and end up with something that falls flat. These 11 recipes look and taste fancy, but are built on a bedrock foundation of laid-back summer ease.

Ceviche is one of those perfectly passive things to make: Toss seafood with lime and other flavorings, and let it cure on its own. Spoon this bright-tasting shrimp ceviche on tortilla chips for a casual, high-style app. Get our Shrimp Ceviche recipe.

3. Warm Deviled Eggs

Eric Wolfinger

Cold, they’re a picnic staple, but warm—flavored with Provolone cheese, bacon, and fresh herbs—deviled eggs are a revelation, unimaginably luxurious, the very opposite of church-picnic homey. Get our Warm Deviled Eggs recipe.

Using frozen premade puff pastry makes these delicious little bites seem like more work than they are. The perfect bites to pass around with glasses of Champagne! Get our Bacon-Cheddar Mini Quiches recipe.

Especially for a summer hors d’oeuvres party, it’s best not to overthink. These simple, parsley, caper, and garlic–marinated fresh mozzarella balls are a delightful thing to find on the end of a skewer. Get our Marinated Bocconcini recipe.

This simple yet sophisticated recipe is practically foolproof: Just combine the ingredients in a food processor, pipe onto English cucumber rounds, and top with your favorite caviar. Get our Smoked Salmon–Caviar Cucumber Bites recipe.

11. Devils on Horseback

CHOW

An irresistible British pub snack: salty, crunchy bacon and sweet, port-steeped prunes is a major crowd-pleaser, and simple to prepare. Get our Devils on Horseback recipe.